It's holiday time

Here's what I'll be writing about in the coming weeks

You’re reading Home Truths, a newsletter from me, Susy Smith. I am many things: a parent of grown-up kids, a dog owner, a gardener and a compulsive mover of vases (I worked for years as a stylist). I am also a writer/editor and former Editor-in-Chief of British Country Living Magazine, for whom I still write a monthly column.

I write here on an eclectic mix of subjects about life, and a few of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Subscribe now for free and join the community! You can also support me and my work by upgrading to a paid subscription at any time – for either option, just tap the button below

I am posting a short piece this week as I am in holiday mode prior to being somewhat locked down from next week onwards - more of this in a minute. I have just spent a few fabulous days away in Spain with my twin daughters. It was pretty hot, but we managed to miss the soaring temperatures that are dogging much of Europe at the moment, and we were staying in the loveliest of little houses belonging to my sister and her husband, with a pool right on the doorstep, so it was easy to keep cool whenever we needed to do so. Otherwise we didn’t do very much at all: the aim of the trip was just to spend time together. We cooked, ate and drank well, read books, listened to music, talked about a wide range of subjects and laughed a lot. This is the joy of watching two such wonderful young women (I know I’m biased!) grow and develop into their adult selves. I never really understood how meaningful and enjoyable this stage of my life might be.

In the coming weeks I shall be writing about my daughters; how they started out, when they used to feature every month on my Editor’s Letter page in British Country Living Magazine, who they are now and what they might become; about how fascinating it is to watch them grow and change and about how I see them as Yin and Yang - complete opposites but together making up a perfect whole. At one time I didn’t really want children, now I thank my lucky stars that I have had the privilege of being a parent.

I shall also be writing about Open House Art Weekend, always a wonderful opportunity to visit artist’s and crafts-people’s homes to see their work and how they operate in their own environments. I am planning to visit several of those local to us this weekend.

Then, on a totally different note, I shall be covering a subject that is very much on my mind at the moment: my forthcoming hip op - sounds cool when you say it like that! By this time next week, providing all has gone well, I shall be the proud and happy owner of a new hip joint, and even though I shall be on crutches and a bit limited in what I can do for a while, I shall be looking toward to the coming months when, hopefully, I shall be pain-free and much more able then I have been in recent years. The one thing I hope to be able to do a lot of while I am recovering is writing, so, watch this space.

In the meantime, enjoy your holidays either abroad or at home. A good gin and tonic or a glass of chilled white wine are the perfect accompaniment. Cheers!